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92
In regard to premises the Council have for years undertaken
at the request of the owners, to disinfest dwelling-houses which
were badly infested without charge, provided the preliminary
work of preparation, such as the stripping of walls, &c., was first
carried out.
During 1937, 337 premises were so disinfested, 96 of these
being dwellings on the Council's own estates.
After disinfestation of any of the Councils flats, the tenant is
advised how to keep his home free from vermin in future, and is
occasionally visited to see that re-infestation has not occurred.
In order more effectively to cope with the disinfestation of the
furniture of tenants about to move into the Council's flats, it was
necessary to provide a chamber in which the process of fumigation
could be carried out. There being no building adequate for the
purpose within the control of the Health Committee, an arrangement
was made with the Baths Committee by which a suitable
building near the Latchmere Road baths was utilised. A disused
lavatory was adapted to take the place of this building. The cost
of the alterations required to both buildings was £96 13s. Od.
The Hydrogen Cyanide (Fumigation) Act of 1937, which
came into force in July does not as yet affect the Council, who have
never employed this substance for disinfestation purposes. Under
Section 4 of the Act, however, power is given to apply the provisions
of the Act (or some of them) by Order in Council, to fumigation
by substances other than hydrogen cyanide.
Particulars of the action of the Council in regard to verminous
persons is to be found under the next heading.
Personal Cleansing Station.
During the year 1937, there were 4,256 children and 389 adults
cleansed and treated at the station. Of the 4,256 children attending,
1,729 were suffering from scabies or itch, a contagious parasitic
skin affection. The remainder were verminous. Of these children
4,212 attended from the public elementary schools in the Borough
by arrangement with the London County Council, who have entered
into a contract with the Borough Council for the use of their
Personal Cleansing station. The cleansing and treatment of the
school children is carried out under the supervision of officers of
the London County Council while the disinfestation of the clothing
and (if necessary) of the homes is carried out concurrently by
the Borough Council's sanitary staff.
The following table shows the numbers of persons cleansed
and treated at the Personal Cleansing station and the expenditure
incurred since 1906, the year in which the cleansing of verminous
persons was begun:—